EPDs for Fenestration Hardware in Europe: Data-Based Guide

What we mean by “fenestration hardware”

Handles, hinges, multipoint locks, cylinders, window restrictors, and accessories that make openings work. Many teams also search for window and door hardware, architectural hardware, or ironmongery. The goal here is clarity on the competitive EPD landscape for that product family in Europe.

Market snapshot at a glance

Across the last five years, the public registry shows 7 currently valid EPDs for fenestration hardware in Europe, issued by 4 manufacturers and published through 3 program operators. Two distinct PCRs were used. The most recent declaration in this set was published on Feb 15, 2024 for “S-P-11413 Zone Floor screen, 1360x1000x46 mm, wool/polyamide” by AJ Produkter AB through EPD International AB under CEN standard EN 15804, valid to Feb 15, 2029.

Year-by-year momentum

Volume is still modest but consistent. Here is the cadence of issues.

Year	New EPDs
2021	0
2022	0
2023	4
2024	3
2025	0

A small category often moves in batches when one program operator or consultant lines up several products, then quiets while teams gather data for the next wave.

Who publishes these EPDs

Three program operators appear in this slice and their footprints are not identical.

• EPD Hub handled 3 EPDs across 2 different manufacturers, which signals cross‑manufacturer adoption rather than a single portfolio upload.
• EPD International AB handled 3 EPDs across 1 manufacturer, so its count is concentrated in one portfolio.
• IBU handled 1 EPD across 1 manufacturer.

For manufacturers, this mix means there is no single default. Choice often comes down to speed to publish, language needs, and where peers tend to file so comparability holds up in bids.

PCRs in play and what to expect next

Two rule sets dominate, both recognized by European specifiers.

PCR	EPDs using it	Latest expiry in set
CEN standard EN 15804	3	Feb 15, 2029
EPD Hub Core PCR version 1.0, 1 Feb 2022	3	Nov 23, 2028

There is also one additional declaration in the set expiring in Mar 2028 under a less common rule set. EPDs are generally valid for five years before renewal, which shapes launch and refresh timing for product lines (IBU, 2024) (EPD International, 2024).

Expiry runway and renewal timing

The next heavy renewal window arrives in 2028 when 4 declarations expire. Three of those sit under EPD Hub’s core PCR and cluster between Jul 13 and Nov 23. One more expires on Mar 3. In 2029, another 3 declarations reach end of validity on Feb 15 under EN 15804. If you plan to enter the category, this creates natural windows to leapfrog peers with fresher numbers or extended system boundaries.

Manufacturer activity leaders

Four manufacturers account for all current declarations in this view.

• AJ Produkter AB leads with 3 EPDs.
• Muovilami Oy follows with 2 EPDs.
• E. Hawle Armaturenwerke GmbH has 1 EPD.
• Exallot Ltd has 1 EPD.

This is a fragmented field. A specialty maker can still set the benchmark for a sub‑category like cylinders or sliding hardware with one well‑scoped, product‑specific EPD.

How often teams use an EPD consultant

6 of the 7 declarations were released with the help of an external EPD service provider, often called an EPD consultant. That is normal for hardware firms where engineering talent is busy on product delivery and test approvals. If you want high‑confidence timing and white‑glove data collection, a specialist like Parq can shoulder the heavy lift so your product and operations teams stay focused on core work. Time is the hidden cost center that an experienced partner reduces, not just the invoice line.

Commercial angle for spec wins

On projects that require third‑party verified EPDs, offering a product‑specific declaration removes penalty factors that otherwise apply to generic estimates. That means fewer late‑stage substitutions and stronger spec stickiness. One well‑timed EPD can unlock an entire bid channel you are not even seeing today. It sounds simple because it is, but it is also a real blind spot in many sales pipelines.

How to pick the “right” PCR for hardware

Treat the PCR like the rulebook of Monopoly. Ignore it and the game falls apart. In this category, EN 15804 remains the anchor, with operator‑specific Part B rules guiding detail by product type. Teams typically choose based on what competitors used, operator familiarity in key markets, and expiry runway. When two options fit, go with the path that gives clearer comparability in the specs you target and the fastest credible route to publish.

A quick note on validity

Five years is the common validity period for EPDs in Europe before renewal, provided no major product changes occur in that time. That cadence is baked into most operator rules and ISO 14025 guidance, so plan backward from sell‑in milestones to avoid last‑minute scrambles (IBU, 2024) (EPD International, 2024).

What to do next

• If you publish in 2026, you enter a category with clear renewal cliffs in 2028 and 2029. That creates room to win comparability battles on timing and scope.
• If you are aligning a portfolio, consider a two‑phase approach. Launch one hero product to open the bid channel, then batch the rest while data systems are hot. It is the fastest route to visible ROI on EPD work.

If you want the full, up‑to‑date background dataset behind this article or a sanity‑check on the best‑fit PCR for your product line, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a quick note. I am happy to hop on a short call for free and share the latest view. And yes, we can definately walk through tradeoffs among operators if you want to publish in multiple markets.

Note on data coverage. This article uses the global public registry that most architects and specifiers rely on. Due to loading delays, EPDs published in the last half of 2025 may not be fully reflected yet. We will refresh this guide as new entries post.